SCRANTON, August 24, 2016 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today joined numerous members of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees at a joint committee hearing at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton.
The hearing was convened to discuss the reauthorization of Title 35 – which contains the Emergency Management Services code which governs how the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) functions and provides the framework for how the Commonwealth and local governments prepare for and respond to disasters.
“Today’s discussion was very important to our panel of state legislators as we prepare to make critical revisions and updates to Title 35 to ensure that best practices are being utilized and required in our emergency response efforts across the Commonwealth,” Blake said. “Thank you to the committee chairman of both Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees – Sen. Randy Vulakovich; Democratic Leader, Sen. Jay Costa; and Rep. Chris Sainato – for coming to Scranton and convening this hearing in my 22nd District.”
The hearing included testimony from Richard Flinn, Jr., director of PEMA and a panel discussion with Robert Kagel, Executive Board Member of the South East PA Regional Task Force; Stephen Libhart, Chair of the South Central Regional Task Force; and Robert Werts, Program Manager of the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force.
“The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Code has not been received a comprehensive review and update nearly twenty years.” Sen. Jay Costa added. “As our first responders know all too well, threats, both natural and otherwise have intensified requiring a more sophisticated and comprehensive response. The House and Senate committees’ review of this, along with guidance from PEMA and regional, county and municipal emergency response coordinators will help us prepare a more current set of standards and tools for emergency responders.”
Blake noted that there are nine regional task forces across Pennsylvania which operate under Act 227 of 2002 – the Counter Terrorism Planning and Response Act – that was enacted following the terrorist attacks in 2001. The reauthorization and update of Title 35 would also refine the language pertaining to the nine regional task forces.
“While it is unlikely that the updates to Title 35 will be completed in the limited time remaining in this session, it is our hope that measures to legislate much needed updates to our public safety and emergency response laws will occur early next year,” Blake added. “Thank you again to the Gino Merli Veterans Center and Commandant Vito Ruggiero for hosting this important joint hearing and discussion.”
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Harrisburg – Aug. 18, 2016 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement in support of Gov. Tom Wolf’s nomination of Bruce Beemer to serve as interim attorney general.
Former Attorney General Kathleen Kane resigned on Wednesday following her conviction by a jury in Montgomery County on charges related to leaked grand jury documents. Bruce Castor is currently serving as interim attorney general.
Beemer previously served as first deputy in the Office of Attorney General and deputy district attorney in Allegheny County. He has extensive administrative and courtroom experience. As deputy district attorney in Allegheny County he tried many drug and homicide cases.
Beemer currently services as Pennsylvania’s inspector general. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Costa’s comments follow:
“The governor has nominated an experienced administrator and prosecutor who will bring stability to the Office of Attorney General. Bruce Beemer has worked in courtrooms in Allegheny County and has ably handled administrative functions related to the attorney general’s office in Harrisburg.
“While the appointment will only be for a short period it will serve an important transition. Mr. Beemer’s steady hand, knowledge of the functions of the office and legal expertise will be very welcomed.
“I am hopeful that this nomination will be well received by the Senate.”
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Wilkinsburg, August 4, 2016 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on efforts and resources to fight blight within our communities, including the successes and challenges of land banks.
“Blight is a scourge that impedes both business and residential interest in a community,” Costa said. “We must do what we can to give our municipalities the resources, tools and flexibility they need to quickly eradicate blight and begin revitalization efforts.”
Costa said blight poses health and safety risks, reduces neighborhood property values, drains municipal revenue on enforcement and maintenance efforts, and discourages community investment and growth.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), who chairs the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said “transforming dilapidated properties from community liabilities to revitalization linchpins must be our shared goal.”
Boscola added that Pennsylvania has approximately 300,000 vacant properties – many of them eye-sores. She said legislators should steer clear of “one-size-fits-all solutions” and give local government leaders the “flexibility to tailor revitalization efforts that fit their unique needs.”
State Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny), who co-chaired the hearing, said the state has passed several laws in recent years aimed at assisting local governments in blight removal and revitalization initiatives. He added that there are also numerous proposals under consideration in the legislature that would generate more funding for demolition and revitalization work and toughen penalties against absentee owners.
Costa said a 2012 law that established land banks provides an innovative way to acquire and ready properties for reinvestment. He pointed to the local Tri-COG Land Bank as a “promising program that numerous Allegheny county communities should look into.” Tri-COG recently received a pledge of $1.5 million in seed funding from the Heinz endowment.
A land bank acquires blighted properties, clears delinquent taxes and liens, and prepares the property for investment and revitalization – all aimed at returning the property to the tax rolls and productive use. A county or municipality must have a population of at least 10,000 to form a land bank. Local governments have the option of joining and must pay 5 percent of yearly delinquent tax collections to help fund the program.
Urban Redevelopment Authority Director Kyra Straussman lamented that a fourth of the city’s footprint is abandoned and vacant property that the government does not control.
“While our tax base is eroding, we are simultaneously directly paying millions in tax dollars annually to keep problem vacant and abandoned property just as it is,” she said.
Matt Madia, who serves as chief strategy and development officer for Bridgestone Capital investment program, discussed his firm’s revitalization work, including its $9.6 million effort to revitalize the Homewood neighborhood in Pittsburgh. He said some of their business loans have resulted in new businesses occupying commercial space that would otherwise be vacant. He said providing this core business sector with its products and services helps make a neighborhood “welcoming and livable.”
Mark Mohn, vice-chair state Association of Realtors Legislative Committee, said rising property local taxes has worsened the blight problem by making home ownership less affordable. He said lawmakers should consider shifting the tax burden away from homeowners to more broad-based local and state resources.
“It’s time to stop picking the pockets of homebuyers,” Mohn added, suggesting that lawmakers should consider allowing bond referendums and Social Impact Bonds where municipalities can pay back outside investors for transforming blighted properties into productive ones.
Others who testified were: Cynthia Whitman Daley, policy director of the PA Housing Alliance; Tracey Evans, executive director of the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation; A. William Schenck, TriState Capital Bank Board Member, Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh; An Lewis, Director, Steel Rivers COG; Daniel Lavelle, board member, Pittsburg Land Bank; and Liz Kozub, Community Development coordinator, Turtle Creek COG.
Joining Costa, Gainey and Boscola were Senators John Blake (D-Lackawanna), Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Representatives Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence) and Paul Costa (D-Allegheny).
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Harrisburg – July 14, 2016 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Pittsburgh Councilman Corey O’Conner today thanked the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, (PHFA), and ACTION-Housing for their efforts in helping develop new affordable housing options in Squirrel Hill.
At their monthly meeting in Harrisburg today, PHFA approved more than $40 million in tax credits and nearly $6 million in PennHOMES funding for multifamily housing developments across Pennsylvania. ACTION-Housing will utilize $1.1 million in credits to develop the new Squirrel Hill Gateway Lofts project in Squirrel Hill.
“ACTION-Housing is a leader in providing affordable, accessible housing for families,” Costa said. “Time and again they’ve reached into communities across Allegheny County and partnered with developers and community groups to make a difference.”
“We’re fortunate to have them repurposing property in Squirrel Hill and providing new options for local families to call home.”
According to ACTION-Housing, the new, seven-story development, known as the Squirrel Hill Gateway Lofts will include 33 residential units in addition to renovated space for Jewish Residential Services to operate an expanded Howard Levin Club House and administrative offices.
“It was such good news to hear that ACTION-Housing received a highly competitive tax credit to build mixed income lofts on the old Poli’s restaurant site,” said O’Connor said. “With Jewish Residential Services’ Howard Levin Club House on the first floor and housing on the second, there will finally be an attractive new building sitting right at the gateway to the Squirrel Hill business district.”
“I join Senator Costa and Councilman O’Connor in congratulating Jewish Residential Services and Action Housing on their collaborative approach to providing housing to the disabled and those with limited incomes,” Frankel said. “This money will provide much-needed housing relief in the area and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring available, affordable housing throughout the City of Pittsburgh.
“While Pittsburgh has enjoyed unprecedented growth in the last decade, not all of our neighbors have been able to enjoy the prosperity of this growth. With this development, low income or disabled neighbors have another option that allows them to stay and work in their community.”
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Harrisburg – July 14, 2016 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Paul Costa (D-Allegheny) today lauded ACTION-Housing’s plans to renovate blighted property in Forest Hills and turn the structure into affordable housing options for seniors and veterans.
ACTION-Housing plans to use Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) tax credits to renovate property at 1844 Ardmore Boulevard and create 41 housing units, including six which will be fully accessible for seniors and veterans with hearing and vision impairments.
“This project epitomizes what the community of Forest Hills is all about – a focus on revitalization and providing for the needs of our seniors and veterans,” Sen. Costa said. “Through a partnership with PHFA, the Borough of Forest Hills and Veterans Leadership, we’re showing that what was once was old and blighted can be new again and provide for the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”
“Our Forest Hills community is growing and thriving and partnerships for projects like this one are the key to our success.”
Once complete, the building will offer a full array of supportive services for building residents, provided through the Borough of Forest Hills and the Veterans Leadership Program.
Funding for the project was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, (PHFA), during their monthly meeting in Harrisburg where more than $40 million in tax credits and nearly $6 million in PennHOMES funding for multifamily housing developments across Pennsylvania was announced.
“This project is will go a long way toward meeting the housing needs of veterans and seniors in our community,” Rep. Costa said. “This community redevelopment project represents the evolution of housing and how old facilities can be adapted for use if innovation and expertise is applied.”
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Harrisburg – July 13, 2016 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement after the Senate approved a revenue package that closes a $1.2 billion hole in the $31.5 billion 2016-17 General Fund budget.
The new funding eliminates the budget deficit, while guaranteeing key investments in education, opioid treatment, job creation, senior citizen programs and social services.
The 2016-17 General Fund budget (Senate Bill 1073) went into effect earlier this week without the governor’s signature.
The measure, House Bill 1198, cleared the Senate on a 28 to 22 vote.
Costa’s comments follow:
“The challenges in completing a comprehensive budget and revenue plan for 2016-17 were significant. It was essential that new budget investments in education, human services, job creation and public safety are both fully funded and paid for in a responsible way.
“The $1.24 billion new revenue package is an honest approach that uses a responsible mix of sustainable revenues, funding enhancements and efficiencies to generate sufficient dollars to erase the budget deficit and bolster funding of key programs.
“The bipartisan revenue package that was approved today – combined with the solid spending plan that went into effect without the governor’s signature yesterday – moves Pennsylvania forward and enables the state to regain ground lost from years of disinvestment.”
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